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Escambia County School District (Fla.) officials announced Wednesday plans to reopen schools for the county, according to a release.

Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said there are three instructional options available for students and parents.

The options include:
• Traditional – This model represents a return to the school campus and the classroom where students will interact directly with their teacher(s) and classmates. If an option is not selected in FOCUS for a student, then this will be the default selection. The school day will follow the standard bell times and standard schedule that includes all the core classes and other subject areas.  In short, it represents a return to the traditional school environment – with several significant changes involving enhanced health and safety precautions.

• Remote Learning – This model is designed for families who would like to maintain their connection to their enrolled school, but don’t yet feel comfortable sending their student(s) back to school in August. Students will attend school remotely, following the standard school schedule and bell times.  The lessons, assignments and grading will be similar to traditional school. 

• Virtual School – This model is ideal for students who wish to have more control over their learning path and pace, and for whom a flexible daily schedule is important. In this learning model, students often work on assignments in a virtual environment during non-traditional hours and maintain contact with their teacher and classmates using web-based class sessions, email, text messages and telephone calls.

According to a release, parents have to make a selection by Mon., July 20, 2020.

Parents and guardians will utilize their parent/student FOCUS account to choose this selection, according to ofificals.

It is important to note that the instructional model chosen will place the student within the selected learning option for an entire (9-week) grading period, officials said in a release. Every effort will be made to ensure students will start the 2020-2021 school year ready for success. 

“These options for our students and parents are by no means perfect,” Thomas said. “Hopefully, by providing as many educational opportunities as possible, essential instruction will move forward during such unprecedented circumstances.”   

For information about Escambia County’s public schools go to: https://ecsd-fl.schoolloop.com/ Like ECSD on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ecsdfl.

Go to the Escambia Schools Public Relations page on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ecsd.public to see video and photos of other recent events.